The ministry of health has commenced a drive to dispose of expired and obsolete medicines and other health supplies from 6,619 health facilities in Uganda.

The ministry of health has commenced a drive to dispose of expired and obsolete medicines and other health supplies from 6,619 health facilities in Uganda.

Addressing the press at Uganda Media Centre this morning, Dr. Diana Atwiine, the ministry permanent secretary said the exercise will affect both government owned and private Not for profit (PNFP).

She explained that it is naturally expected that about 5% of pharmaceuticals in the distribution chain is bound to end up as obsolete or expired. The health ministry last carried out such a massive exercise in 2012.

“Currently, the quantities of expired medicines all over the country are estimated to be about 1,200 to 1,500 tons.”

Now, the ministry of health has also tasked the National Drug Authority, NDA to establish a rigorous post market surveillance system which will ensure that all medicines on the market, both imported and locally manufactured are closely monitored for safety, efficacy and quality